Summary

With the rapid growth of IP-based networks and applications in both private and public networks, it is necessary to consider arrangements to transport IP services over ATM in the public network environment.

For the private network environment, the ATM Forum has specified Multi-protocol Over ATM (MPOA) [21]. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has specified Classical IP Over ATM (C‑IPOA) [25] and Next Hop Resolution Protocol (NHRP) [26] and Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) [31] and [32]. To ensure that public networks will interwork with each other supporting a set of services defined in this ITU-T Recommendation, and to ensure the interworking of public and private networks, it is necessary to recommend the preferred approach for transporting IP over ATM in public networks.

The approach adopted in this ITU-T Recommendation is to identify generic requirements, key IP services and determine which IP over ATM approach is preferred for each service. It is preferable that the same approach is used for all services considered. This approach is recommended for all identified services using IP over ATM transport in public networks.